Bhubaneswar: With cyclone "Titli" intensifying into a several cyclonic storm, the East Coast Railway (ECoR) today made a decision to cancel train services between Khurda Road in Odisha capital and Vizianagaram in Andhra Pradesh.

The chief secretary of the state, Aditya Prasad Padhi, announced the closure of all schools, colleges and anganwadis on October 11 and 12.

Those evacuated were accommodated in more than 1,100 cyclone shelters, state officials added.

The cyclone left eight people dead, besides causing widespread damage in Srikakulam and Vizianagaram districts of north coastal Andhra Pradesh, the State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) said. After landfall, it may recurve and move towards West Bengal and northeast states. However, more heavy rain is expected in the next 24 hours, which could lead to flooding.

Gopalpur in Odisha reported 102kmph and Kalingapatnam 56kmph surface wind speed at 5:30am, IMD said in a bulletin. The Met department warned of heavy to very heavy rain in several districts of Gangetic West Bengal till Saturday morning and heavy rain for another day thereafter.

Wind speed could increase to 140-150 kmph with gusting to 165 kmph from Wednesday midnight night onwards along and off south Odisha and adjoining districts of the north Andhra Pradesh coast.

As the landfall process started, at least five districts like Ganjam, Gajapati, Puri, Khurda and Jagatsinghpur are receiving good amount of rainfall coupled with high speed winds under the impact of Titli.

"The evacuation operation was carried out soon after the warning was issued days before and people are now in relief camps", said Vishnu Pad Sethi, Relief Commissioner (DM), Odisha. The department had advised complete suspension of fishing operations and asked people to stay indoors.

Fishermen along the Odisha coast, and central and north Bay of Bengal were advised not to venture into sea till Friday.

Sethi said the state government has already informed the Air Force and Indian Navy about the situation and may take their help if required.

Around 300,000 people were evacuated and 879 multi-purpose cyclone and flood shelters were kept in readiness for sheltering the rescued people.